Electronmicroscopic studies on the peritoneal resorption of intraperitoneally injected latex particles via the diaphragmatic lymphatics.

Intraperitoneally injected latex particles with a diameter of 1,1 mu are resorbed via the subperitoneal diaphragmatic lymphatics. The latex particles enter the lymphatics by stomata. These are formed by simultaneous intracellular gaps between neighbouring mesothelial and endothelial cells in the tissue barrier, between the lumen of the lymph vessels and the peritoneal cavity. A transcellular passage (cytopempsis) does not occur. Stomata occur where collagenous fibres and a submesothelial basement membrane are absent. Due to the complete absence of collagenous fibres in the area of the stomata particles smaller than the diameter of the stomata may be resorbed easily.